I don't normally ask for recommendations for accommodations but I'm under pressure to find a place for our trip at the beginning of October. My husband and I will be in Madrid from October 1st until 7th and would like to find a small, traditional apartment in the Hapsburg district. We've been spending up to $250 - 300 a day for hotels. Thank you.

That area of the Habsburgs is usually called barrio de los Austrias (they refer to the Habsburgs as the Austrians) in Madrid, see
http://www.timeout.com/madrid/things...s-los-austrias

You may need to simply search for El Centro on some booking websites.

I can't recommend one in particular but know www.spainselect.com is highly regarded for madrid, and of course there is airbnb and vrbo. I didn't really see anything available exactly like you want. Budget is no problem, you won't be spending anywhere near that.

However, you may have to relax the criteria for "traditional" as very few are, if you mean their decor. Most are modern. And that isn't that far away.

We rented from Spain Select three times....very reliable company, nice
apts in several areas of Madrid.

I second Spain Select. We rented an apartment in Sevilla and one in Madrid. Great experiences. People were helpful. They meet you at apt. and give you the info you need to start and explore.

Thank you for the heads up. Things I've learned -which area to look for in Madrid, giving up on the idea of a traditional apartment and recommendations for apartment rentals. I think this forum is the best!

If you feel "under pressure", book an economical hotel room that has free cancellation. That gives you more time to peruse the many, many apartment choices...some of which may not show available now but may well become available over the next 60 days.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hostal-las-fuentes.html

http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cason-del-tormes.html

http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/asathome-arenal.html

http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hostal-madrid.html